Adolescents' Use of Maternal and Child Health Services in Developing Countries

CONTEXT: Because of high levels of early childbearing in developing countries, pregnancy and childbirth are the leading causes of death among women aged 15-19. Use of skilled antenatal and delivery care improves maternal outcomes through the prevention, management and treatment of obstetric complications, and infant immunizations prevent many childhood diseases. METHODS: Logistic regression analysis of Demographic and Health Survey data for 15 developing countries examined adolescents' use of antenatal care, delivery care and infant immunization services compared with use by older women. RESULTS: In general, the use of maternal and child health care did not vary by mother's age. In five of the 15 countries, women aged 18 or younger were less likely than women aged 19-23 to use either…